Tremolite
was named by J.G.A. Höpfner for the Tremola valley (Val Tremola), Central St
Gotthard Massif, Switzerland, where the type material supposedly came from,
according to the dealer from whom he had acquired the specimens. See more name
information below.

Tremolite
is a relatively common mineral but rare as a faceted
gem. Most mineral specimens are fibrous, granular or columnar aggregates
and not suitable for faceting. The crystals that are
transparent, clean and brightly colored are very rare.
Tremolite is a member of the Calcic Clino-Amphibole Subgroup
of the Amphibole Group of minerals that includes Actinolite,
Ferro-edenite, Kaersutite,
Pargasite,
Richterite and
Tremolite.
The Amphibole Group is an extensive and complex group
of minerals currently divided into several sub-groups.
Gem quality Tremolite gets its vivid green coloring
from the iron (Fe) content. A pale lilac to purplish
color variety of Tremolite is called Hexagonite
and is colored by manganese (Mn).
A green chromium (Cr) rich variety called Chrome
Tremolite
is found
mainly in the Merelani Hills
of Tanzania.

Tremolite
was named by J.G.A. Höpfner for the Tremola valley (Val Tremola), Central St
Gotthard Massif, Switzerland, where the type material supposedly came from,
according to the dealer from whom he had acquired the specimens. Though, modern
investigations of what is considered the type material, conserved at Geneva,
revealed that the type locality is actually Campolungo. Val Tremola lying north of the
isograde delineating the first appearance of Tremolite.